Zuko felt as though he was the main course for the insect population of the swamp as he smacked the back of his neck again- killing another bug. His hold on Katara still secure as they wade through the marshes. Rin lead the way her pale skin and golden eyes reminded him of the fire nation and Zuko found himself wondering where this tribe originated from. He watched Aang spin around the boy's eyes darting to Katara and Zuko's clasped hands, Aang didn't even try to hide the green eyed monster that blazed on his face. "Aang." Katara had a way of saying someone's name and meaning more than what was verbalized. The boy blushed turning back around the tips of his ears still pink.
Zuko hears the rushing water, right before he is jerked around, Katara shoved him behind her, he grabs the back of her dress holding on to her, she uses her now free hands to water bend the dangerous intent of swamp water up, over and around them. Leaving them drenched and sticky from the heat. Aang and Rin are gone and Zuko pulls Katara around, his hold now on her forearms as he clings to her like a life line.
"What? Are you?" his spluttering and the words are not coming out. But Katara understands.
"The swamp has a will of its own, Zuko. I'm fine and so are the others." She smiles reassuring at him.
Now his gawking at her like she has grown horns. His grip on her arms turn painful and suddenly there is a deadly intent in his eyes. "What have you done?" he screams shaking her. "I warned you not to cross me, Azula."
Katara does not know who Azula is but she knows by the anger on his face and the desperation in his grip that she needs to get away from him. She knows it's useless to reason with him, the swamp has blinded him and whatever she dares to say might only infuriate him, she uses an offensive maneuver she learned from the
Kyoshi warriors using his delirium and his own weight to catch him off guard long enough for her to slip out of his hold and run the opposite way. Her destination doesn't matter, the swamp will lead her where she is meant to go.
She runs until his screams of injustices fades into the melody of swamp life, then she runs until the stich in her side makes it impossible to go any farther. She is breathing heard the humidity makes it difficult to catch her breath so she waves her hand through the air making frost fall on her face as it melts it cools the air making it possible for her to breathe. She looks down her feet are submerged in water and the water is the reflection of the night's sky; glittering stars and a full moon shinning up at her. She looks up to where the sun remains high and hot in the swap sky. "Ok La, what do you need from me?" she asks looking back into the night sky water watching as the moon begins to float along the current. Katara follows ready for answers.
La leads her to a vision of the black knarred tree from her dreams there at the foot is a small wooden sign with the name of a fire nation village etched on the surface. At last Katara has a destination though the purpose still remains unseen. Still she understands in part why La was calling to her instead of Aang, it was after all, Katara who asked for La's guidance in healing the fire nation prince. There was a debt she owed to the spirits.
There is a soft melody in a sudden breeze and in the horizon marionettes appear dancing in rhyme to the song. The strings black and coarse visible from the distance, the puppets are a variety of men, women and children all dressed in fire nation attire. It's a frightful sight and Katara looks down to see what the moon thinks of the vision only to find its surface split in two and a twisted inhuman grin takes form on the moon's surface before something drops from above splashing water in her face. Katara uses her forearm to wipe the water out of her eyes looking around at the sudden quiet and perfectly normal swap. Huu is standing in front of her with a joyous smile and waiting embrace.
She hugs her friend letting him lead her up onto the massive roots of the ancient banyan-grove tree. Were they takes seats next to one another. Huu offers her fresh water to drink that she gulps it down gladly before handing it back. Huu nods and together they began the mediation cycle that will help her make sense of what she saw.
He doesn't know how she found him, but Azula had a lot to answer for. He had warned her of her fate if she went against him when Ozi was killed. She had declared her allegiance to him and while Azula always lies Zuko had hoped that perhaps that for once in her life she would keep her word. Taking Katara was unforgivable. If one hair was out of place on his water bender's head he swore he would end his sister himself. He ran after Azula when she ducked out of his hold yelling in desperation and anger when she vanished in the fog. He tried to shoot fire balls into the fog lighting the area so he could see which way she ran but the air was too dense he couldn't form fire in these conditions. He tried again and again almost exhausting himself while trying to form the flames, then he remembered his swords strapped to his back and that they are just as deadly as his fire. He entered the fog with purpose ready for his trickery sister whenever she decided to make her next move. He knew she wasn't alone. She never did anything without Mai and Ty Lee, he would be ready three against one was not much of a disadvantage when your use to it.
He makes it through the fog, the other side thick with foliage there is a choice; to cut through it or go around.
He know this place is sacred, the word was in the name of that tree after all and Katara believed she could contact the spirits in this swamp. If there was one thing that Iroh drilled into his pupil it was to always respect the spirits no matter what nation. That was when he heard her scream echo around him. Katara's painful cry, "Zuko!" He took a step forward his blade raised, every muscle coiled ready to respond, to cut away and find her but there was something off about the scream, something he can't help but be logical about. Why would she call out for him?
"No", he told himself. He bowed in respect re-sheathing his swords. He would respect the spirits and by doing so they will protect her. He knows this deep down. He watches in wonder as the leaves and trees shift providing him with a path where moments ago there was none. He sprints into the opening, following the path as it appears before him.
He searched for hours. The sun begins to set and while he has excellent stamina he starts to wonder if Azula is even still in the swamp. That is when he sees someone in the distance. Dark hair up in a topknot slight built and fire nation armor. He calls out, not concerned about the element of surprise. The person turns and Zuko can't help the confusion that stops him in his tracks.
The young man has more angular features and the same golden eyes that he has saw in the mirror for the past sixteen years. The man is an older Zuko with a perfectly handsome face and ugly sneer. His older self looks mean as he eyes young Zuko with deadly intent, drawling his swords. Present Zuko doesn't understand looking at himself and the expression on his face was once he remembered seeing on his father. "No, we are not him!" Young Zuko screams to his older self.
The older Zuko tilts his head and roles his shoulders. "I am not weak." He says before charging blade swinging.
"Neither am I." Present Zuko states drawing his own swords. He would not let some pretty faced version of himself defeat him. He was strong not just physically but mentally. He was the future Fire Lord. He fought himself it was strange and renewing. He didn't know if this was what he turned into or if this is what he would have become under his father's reign. Either way he would defeat this daemon and never follow such a dark road himself. There is something in the way the older version of him fights that suggests he mostly relies on his fire bending, that his hand to hand combat is not nearly as well-honed as younger him. This is the advantage that tips the scales as present Zuko is able to disarm his older self. "Look at the kingdom I have built." Older Zuko states proudly from his prone position on the swamp floor.
Present Zuko chances a look behind him and he sees it the whole world, like the maps Iroh keeps on his wall etched into the soft earth of the swamp. Each nation drawn out in detail from rivers and cities to the vase ocean, and it was all on fire. It was a nightmare watching as the world burned and to look into his own satisfied face as he stand helpless to help anyone.
"I am not you, none of this is real." Young Zuko shouts at his older self.
"It's as real as you make it." His older self says before fading into nothingness.
Present Zuko is left crouched down staring into the destruction of the world. Gentle waves began to rise filling in the ocean and the rivers, it slowly floods putting out the fire leaving the scorched earth covered in wet ash.
"The ash will make the land fertile and the swamp will provide the seeds to regrow the damage." Katara is standing behind him with a sweet smile. He stands and turns the look of defeat on his face. "I do not know the troubles you face, Prince Zuko, but make no doubt that you now have friends to face them with. You are not alone." She tells him holding out a hand.
He can feel it again, like his heart is swelling so painfully he does not understand or know how to deal with it, he feels himself recoil a part of him wants to reject it, to turn away, he is not weak. He does not realize he mumbles this oath aloud until she speaks again.
"It intrigues me the way certain cultures perceive weakness. In my tribe it is the loner that is weak. The person who refuses to work with others, to be part of the tribe. It is that man that will be lost to the tundra that will freeze and go hungry. It is as a community of family and friends that our people survive and thrive." Her honest eyes sweep him in and his hand finds its way into hers without hesitation. "You must accept the choices you have made. Only then will you learn to define your emotions and control your rage." He silently allows her to lead him under the canopy of a massive tree. Her words wash over him as he reflects to what just took place in the swamp. He fears that future, of what he might become, a monster of his father's legacy.
Katara takes a seat cross legged returning to her meditation. She looks over her shoulder to find the fire nation prince still standing, where she left him arms crossed, and eyes fixed on her. She pats the ground besides her silently inviting him to join her. His harsh expression softens as he marches over and gracefully sits beside her.
"I'm sorry." he seems to be making a habit of apologizing to this girl.
"There is a rhythm to these things, it starts with clearing the mind." Katara closes her eyes. Zuko opens his mouth ready to ask if she is okay when she reaches over placing her hand over his mouth. "No talking. Only breathing." She instructs as she works them through the meditation process. Opening their mind and surrendering themselves to the knowledge the swamp has provide.
They return to the village in time for dinner. A communal affair around a warm campfire, it reminded Katara of home. Zuko sat stiffed back beside her if the hard line that formed his mouth was anything to go by, he was not enjoying himself. She finished her dinner and was being pulled up and out into the celebration circle by Lee, Rin's younger brother. The tribal dances were a far cry from the pristine courts of Iroh's kingdom. This was instinctual no steps to memorize of follow, the drums in tune with your heart as you felt and moved to the beat of the music. She always danced with the tribe. Rather it be with Lee, Aang, Rin or anyone else that asked her, she had never considered acting other than how she always did, never once did the thought that her actions may offend their guest.
Zuko felt like burning something as he watched the savage boy pull Katara away from his side. She was naturally graceful, a beautiful sight to behold, no wonder so many watched her in awe. But be felt the anger again boiling below the surface as the drums found their beat and he realized she would be dancing with another boy.
Toph comes over plopping down next to him she is slurping her noodles. Zuko tears his eyes away from a dancing Katara long enough to look at the earth bender beside him.
"What do you want?" His rudeness doesn't seem to surprise her as she stretches her legs out making herself comfortable.
"I may have been a bit harsh earlier."
"Sokka is making you be nice, isn't he?"
She presses her lips together clearly annoyed by his observation. "He might have had some choice words about my recent behavior." Toph admitted.
Zuko feels like he should say something but relating to another person does not come naturally to him. "His fun." Zuko stated nodding towards Aang who was the source of the children's entertainment for the night.
"His an idiot." Toph states knowing to whom Zuko is referring.
Zuko shrugs. Yes the boy is an idiot; a cute; fun loving, powerful idiot whom Katara adores. "His outlook on life is so simple and care free."
"Whow, you have no idea what your family's war has put my friends through. The fact that Aang can still be who he is despite the great lost he has experienced is because of Katara. She, along with the rest of us has become his family. And in turn Aang has given Katara back something she had lost when the southern raiders murdered her mother, hope. You can't even began to fathom the depth of hatred that is owed to your people. But despite all this, these two have become each other's miracles and the world has begun to heal because of them. Don't you understand what is at stake, how you feeling anything besides comradely towards her could ruin the balance of the universe?"
"Being a little dramatic aren't we? Do you tell yourself this so it doesn't hurt when you look at them together?" Zuko asked watching as Toph chokes on her drink and blushes in response.
"I think it's safe to say that the fate of the universe does not depend on two fourteen year olds romantic entanglements." Zuko reasons.
"Depends on the two fourteen year olds." Toph grumbles. This makes Zuko smile, something he has been doing a whole lot more since meeting this group of children.
"Your denial won't change the fact that you care for him. She seems ignorant of his affections why don't you tell him how you feel?"
She scoffs at this, "Because I would lose everything if he didn't feel the same way. My home is with Katara, Sokka, and Aang. I wouldn't risk it. Not ever. My own family doesn't understand me, they think I am weak and helpless because I can't see. But you were right, I see the world just fine, I see things that others choose to ignore."
"You Toph Bei Fong are not weak or helpless. Not many people can take me in a fight and you crushed me." He says channeling his inner Katara, she had spent enough time over the past week talking him up, and he thought he was doing a pretty good impression, at least up until the point Toph punched him in the side of the arm. "Ouch!" He bellowed. She simply smirked, the emotionally frustrated girl was replaced by the ferocious earth bender.
"What? That's how I show affection." She informs him.
Suddenly an arm is wrapped around each of them and they are being pulled in and smashed together with Sokka in-between. "Ah, I can feel the love." He states releasing the pair and climbing past them on to the dance floor where he begins to imitate a flamingo-crane.
"Shit, his hit the cactus juice again." Toph announces before marching toward her drunk friend.
Zuko watched entertained as Toph approaches Sokka who is standing on one leg flapping his arms in the air. Seriously this guy could beat the Dragon of the West at Pi Sho. Clearly Zuko was missing something.
He too stands stretching his legs while searching for Katara, whom was still dancing and laughing with the same swamp boy that originally came and swept her away. He was going to have to remedy that. How could Sokka allow this kind of behavior or even Aang allowing her to flirt with whomever she wished? Wasn't she taken? That is what everyone kept telling him but Aang didn't seem remotely upset over the fact that someone else was dancing so freely with the water bender.
As Zuko approaches them, the beat changes tempo and the couples part, the women move to an inner circle while the men form a larger circle around them. Zuko is being shove back into the outer circle and away from Katara. He pushes back attempting to once more walk up to her only to be pulled back into the men's circle. Frustrated the fire is called, both his hands consumed to prevent anyone from touching him again. The men who had been pulling on him jump back wide eyed in fear. Suddenly Katara is there standing in front of him, she is smiling but her eyes reflect her worry. "Dance with me?" She asks and he nods. "Follow the others, with the turning of the beat I'll find you.." She reaches out and he feels his body cool by several degrees as water from her canteen extinguish the flames on his arms. Steams sizzles and disburses and she has returned to the inner circle though her eyes are on him watching as he turns and follows the men whom return to his sides with a nod from Katara.
There is a lot of stomping, clapping and flexing muscles for the men's part. Zuko is concentrating so hard he is unable to watch the women's part until the dance begins to repeat itself. The women's is a flowing movement of hands and ribbon, slow and graceful as their hips sway in tune and they are singing a soothing melody, the words Zuko cannot make out. Katara is watching him as she sings and preforms her part of the dance, her smile is broad and contagious as Zuko finds himself smiling back at her. She must be enjoying the show, he muses. Looking around and realizing that all the men are bare chest apart from him, he watches as Katara's eyes drift to the young man beside him, the same boy that was dancing with her earlier. Not one to be showed up, he pulls his shirt off tossing it on a log behind him. Her eyes are back on him as he just like the others, is flexing his muscles. Katara is laughing hysterically while, Rin, who is standing beside her, rolls her eyes. He shrugs and executes the next, now memorized steps of stomping.
Then the beat changes and the men step forward before becoming live statues, all standing completely still arms behind their backs, while the women make a full circle around stopping to face each man in turn. The women come together in a tight cluster before disbursing with chaotic efficiency each woman grabbing a man of her choice and pushing through to dance solely with him. Rin is eyeing him and he his shooting her his meanest glare daring her to try and approach him. She takes a step back and he is looking again for Katara whom vanished in the crowd of women and he lost track of her. The boy beside him has yet to be picked, and he looks over to Zuko down his nose a bit too arrogant for any savage. Zuko simply ignores him, not caring what ruffled his feathers. Then he sees her approaching, her braid swinging behind her and she is walking, unlike the other women around her who are racing to each man, a few not even making it to their first choice before they are snatched away having to pick another partner.
Zuko can feel the tension between himself and the boy next to him. "Your ugly face has frighten away all the girls." The boy hisses under his breath to Zuko. It is the first time anyone has ever insulted him to his face and he is surprised to find he doesn't care. The boy holds out his hand to Katara who ignores it and walks right up to Zuko, grabbing his hand and pulling him after her with the confidence of a queen. Zuko is all smiles as he chances a look over his shoulder to see the furious look of the swamp boy, and Rin standing at his side with her own look of contempt directed at him.
They stop and the music became louder than it has yet been. All of Zuko's attention is on the beautiful water bender in his arms and the way her eyes meet his. "It starts with my back to you, we hold hands like this." She turns holding her arms out, he takes her hands in his and she pulls him in, so that her back is flush against his front. "Good, now four slow turns to the right," She walks him through the steps. "And four to the left." They perform the turns and he releases her hands when she tells him to, she then wraps them around his neck, her back arched up, her head resting on his shoulder and he suddenly forgets how to breathe. He doesn't wait for instruction no longer caring what the others are doing instead following the internal pull that takes over as he buries his face in her neck, wrapping his arms around her waist and hoisting her off the ground pulling her into him. When her feet find the ground again she turns to face him her hands on his shoulders and her eyes blazing with emotion. Again he hoists her off the ground turning in a full circle before setting her back down, her body still pressed into his. Its moment like these he doesn't care that she is fourteen, he will wait for her, two years or a hundred, he realizes that he wants only her forever and always.
His golden eyes are liquid as he stares down at her with a look she doesn't understand, his jaw clinched and his expression hostile. It was the same look he gave her the day they meant, her falling on top of him and him holding her, assessing her, she wonders what she has done this time to offend the fire nation prince.
She smiles at him because it is her last defense, she doesn't understand his mood swings; how one moment he is smiling then the next his devouring her with his eyes. She understands her heart and that she is attracted to him in a way she struggles to hide. But because she doesn't know if he can be trusted, despite Iroh's reassurance, because his internal struggle of good and evil has yet to be decided, and it is the anger that scares her into keeping her heart in check and pretending that the way his body feels pressed against hers doesn't satisfy every girly day dream she has had about him since they met. Instead she convinces herself over and over again that all she wants from him is friendship. His bare chest is under her fingers and his skin is hot to the touch. She's giddy in a way that reminds her of Yue and Sokka. How many times had she teased her friend only to become a victim of her own girly emotions? She chances a look at him under her eye lashes, she has forgotten she was supposed to be walking him through steps to a dance he did not know, she didn't care as he took lead and guided her through his own steps to the tribal dance. Every part of her body was honed in on him and his proximity.
Suddenly he is being thrown away from her and she is pushed back and restrained by someone's hold. "Get your hands off her!" Zuko shouts over the drums bringing the attention of the tribe to the fight that just broke out. The quiet is instantaneous and Toph is there earth bending the two men holding on to Katara out of the way freeing her friends.
"If you hurt her, I will collapse this village!" Toph howls. Katara's hand is on her friend's arm. "I'm fine. Just stupid pride filled boys. Don't you dare destroy these people's homes!" Katara reassures marching toward where Zuko and Lee were suddenly lost to fog. Toph shrugs moving to hover behind her friend ready for anyone whom dares to hurt the water bender.
Someone punched Zuko in the face as fog engulfs the area that he and his assailant are in. He watches Toph free Katara as the fog clouds his vision. No matter it wasn't the first time he fought without sight. The first hit was lucky, a matter of surprise without any true strength, but it was the only hit the boy was going to get in. Something swung at him again tying itself around his ankle and pulling, Zuko hopped on one leg, pulling his blades free and cutting himself loose before he could lose his balance. "Fire nation scum. How dare you touch her!" It's the boy from earlier the one that danced with Katara then insulted him. A jealous vengeance. This made Zuko laugh, a real one like the one he gave Yue a few days past. Because how could this boy even think he was a contender for Katara's heart?
"Zuko?" He heard her cry out in the fog it was a question, was he ok, she was asking. He put his blades away worried he might hurt her, then the air drops several degrees and a burst of wind pushes the fog out clearing the area. The swamp boy standing an arm's reach away from Zuko with a crudely made knife in hand. Zuko's eyes fixate on the boy a challenge in his expression that the boy reads and his face pales in response to. Zuko doesn't see Aang standing in the middle of the area, having just preformed an air bending move, the fire nation prince's eyes are still trained on Lee, as Huu approaches him and Katara reaches Zuko her arms surrounding him, he pulls her closer in response. "Are you ok?" She asks looking up at the hard expression on his face.
"I don't want to kill him." Zuko tells her shocking himself at this admission. His anger is minuscule to what he typically feels and he can't help but be in awe of this revelation.
"Well I do!" Toph growls from behind them. "You put Katara in danger!" She pointed an accusing finger at Lee.
"I am sorry for Lee's behavior, but please allow the council to handle him." Huu was looking to Aang who had his arms crossed looking upset over the entire exchange.
"I think the festivities are over for tonight. In the morning we will leave. I am sorry we have disrupted your tribe but perhaps your future leader needs a walk into the swamp." Is all the boy in the bandanna says before hanging his head and walking towards Appa. Leaving the others to follow.
They leave on Appa the following morning. Huu has prepared them rations for their journey. While everyone says their good byes, Zuko notice Lee standing next to a hut off to the side, the boys eyes glued on Katara. "Do not worry, I told him he was to stay put and if she wanted to talk to him she would." this is Huu telling him this. They both watch Katara give her last hug and climb on Appa, completely ignoring Lee. Zuko nods to Huu before jogging over in time to help Katara into Appa's saddle then takes a seat next to her. "How did you sleep last night?" he asks already knowing the answer.
"I actually slept, but I'm still tired. Doesn't make much sense."
"How long has it been since you got a full night sleep?" Zuko asks.
She looks at him like she really doesn't what to answer, and suddenly Zuko wonders what she is hiding from him.
"I guess about two months." she tells him looking at her hands in her lap.
"Why is the moon talking to you? Isn't that Avatar stuff?" He asks hoping for more than a one word answer.
"Normally yes, but I asked La for a favor and in return she wants one from me." Katara explains.
"What favor?" Zuko asks hoping it's not what he thinks it is.
She gives him a pitiful look, and he knows.
"I'm the reason aren't I?" he can't help but ask.
"Zuko." she says his name so tenderly and he finally gets it, what Sokka keeps saying about her, she is the most selfless person he has ever meant.
"My vanity is not worth your health. "He tells her meaning it.
"This was never about vanity." she explains she is back to smiling at him. "And in time you will learn, I get to make my own decisions when it comes to who and what is worthy of my health."
This makes him wonder who has tried to control her and he can't help but look over to Sokka who is nursing a hangover.
"I could heal him. But I won't a horrible headache after a night of drinking is good for any fearless leader." Katara states misreading him.
"Move over, lover boy." Toph yells seconds before nearly landing on top of him. Zuko dodges her easily then watches a bit resentful as the young girl made herself comfortable in his seat.
"Katara." Toph whines giving the water bender an uncharacterized hug. Katara hugs her while watching Aang climb on top of Appa's head, Momo curled up on his head. Soon she would need to tell Zuko about Aang being the Avatar.
Zuko was pouting arms crossed as they took off. He didn't bother waving to the savage tribe, hoping to never see any of them for as long as he lived. Toph was making the most of tormenting him. He didn't understand what she was after, the reaction or the intent. He had thought they had come to an understanding, after all they should be friends, she liked the boy that liked the girl he liked. Didn't that by default make them allies? Only she seemed to be taking on the opposite role attempting to get Katara to notice Aang. That was the conversation that was currently going on. Toph talking up the boy in the bandanna while Katara pulled out some mending and sent Zuko an apologetic look.
"Aang is probably the most powerful bender I know. And didn't Madame Woo say…"
"I thought you were the most powerful bender you know, all mighty Melon Lord." Katara giggle interrupting her friend.
"Well you can't marry me, Katara." Toph's duh tone making Katara giggle again.
"But your so cute!" the water bender proclaims reaching over and tickling the little heathen. Toph with nowhere to escape and no ground to bend is caught at the mercy of master water bender Katara. Both girls laughing like loos.
"Can't a man get some peace and quiet?" Sokka shouts across the saddle. Aang is looking over his shoulder, the expression on his face makes Zuko believe him to be contemplating in joining the tickle fest.
"Are you going to go binging on cactus juice again?" Katara asks in a sisterly haha way.
Sokka is squinting against the sun light. "What a man does during man time is none of your concern little sister. Am I right, Zuko?"
Zuko looked over at Sokka brows furrowed, Sokka's definition of 'Man Time' certainly differed from his own definition.
"My little sister is thankfully not here, but if you want I will promise to never drink cactus juice." Zuko promised looking over to the pretty water bender.
"Ass kisser." Toph proclaims, before quickly covering her mouth with her hands looking up at the motherly glare of Katara.
"Do I need to wash your mouth out again, Miss Potty mouth?" Katara asked.
"No." Toph stated shaking her head, a healthy coat of dirt was one thing mud in places that chaffed was a completely different story.
Katara gave Toph another good glare. "Sorry." She apologized to Zuko. Zuko could only shrug wondering not for the first time how Katara seemed to be the only one to check the Earth bender.
"Do you want me to help with that?" Toph offered gesturing to the sewing Katara was once more focused on. Katara just ignored her.
Sokka groans laying on his back with his bag over his face. Zuko did not quite understand what was transpiring.
"Well?" again Toph asked this time Aang looked back and rolled his eyes.
"Katara, if she wants to help, you should let her." Zuko encouraged.
"You want me to give a needle to a blind girl who has never stitched anything in her life and let her loose on hemming Sokka's pants?" Katara was looking at him like he was crazy.
"What? Just because I'm blind you don't think I can sew?"
"No, you could probably learn to sew if you really had any interest, but you don't. You are just messing with Zuko." Katara calls her friend out not once looking up from her stitching.
"Ya, your right. Sifu Hotman you just make it too easy. Your almost as gullible as Sokka." Toph states turning her attention to cleaning out her toes.
Zuko waits until they make camp for the night before he once more faces off with the menaces.
He corners her after everyone else is asleep she having volunteered for first watch.
"Come for another heart to heart?" she asks when he is close enough she won't be over heard by the others.
"I had thought we had reached a truce." he conceded.
She shrugged. "I like you up until you start flirting with sugar queen."
This makes his head spin, "I don't see how me and Katara would be a bad thing for you." Zuko points out.
"She is using you." Toph tells him. "You have it in your head that she is innocent and honest but the only reason any of them let you come along on this joy ride was to manipulate you. She bats her pretty eyes at you and you're suddenly an obedient dog being lead around on a leash. How do you know if she can even follow through with what she has offered? Have you ever even seen her heal anyone?" Toph asks.
Zuko can feel the anger returning. He doesn't understand why the doubt seeps in. He has every reason to trust Katara and not one reason to believe Toph whom he had witnessed on more than one occasion mess with people.
Her face is deadpan serious. Then she laughs like it is all a big joke. "You are so eager to doubt. Of course Katara can heal you, and make sure to invite me to the wedding that is if you're still alive when Aang finds out."
"Find out about what?" the boy in the bandanna asks suddenly standing behind Zuko.
"That Toph is in love with you." Zuko states, percectly calm and collected. With Toph's red face there would be no denying it.
Zuko turned to face Aang before placing a sympathetic hand on the boy's shoulder and walking back to his sleeping bag that was besides Sokka. Leaving the two love birds to hash out things for themselves. If Zuko could survive Azula, he could survive Toph Be Fong.